Colchester United lose to Brentford in Carabao Cup

Keane Lewis-Potter's strike just before half-time proved the difference between the two sides, in front of a crowd of nearly 7,000 at the JobServe Community Stadium.

However, the U's were left to rue a missed opportunity late on, with substitute Jack Payne's penalty saved by Brentford goalkeeper, Hakon Valdimarsson.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley handed a debut to defender Aaron Donnelly, who joined on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest earlier in the day.

Teenager Milton Oni made his first-ever senior start for the U’s and Ben Goodliffe returned for the first time since his head injury against AFC Wimbledon, on the opening day of the season.

Colchester started the tie well and were on the front foot from the off.

Donnelly’s long throws caused problems in the Brentford box in the opening stages of the contest and the U’s showed plenty of attacking intent, against their top-flight opponents.

But the Bees came close to scoring midway through the first half when Goodliffe did well to block Fabio Cavalho's effort from near his own goal-line, after Mikkel Damsgaard’s skill and trickery had set up the opportunity.

It was the visitors' first meaningful effort on goal and Colchester more than held their own in the first half, as their visitors tried hard to find a way through the hosts’ organised defence.

Ten minutes before half-time, Lewis-Potter glanced a header just wide of the target from a decent position for the visitors.

Colchester looked like they would go in at half-time on level terms but they fell behind in controversial circumstances, just before the break.

Donnelly felt he had been fouled by Brentford forward Kevin Schade in the U’s box but play was allowed to continue and the ball way duly squared to Lewis-Potter, who gleefully tapped home from inside the six-yard box.

Colchester were extremely unhappy with referee Paul Howard’s decision to allow the goal to stand and went in at the break feeling pretty aggrieved.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

The U's made a triple change at the break, with JK Gordon, Mandela Egbo and Jack Payne on for Ellis Iandolo, Alex Woodyard and Rob Hunt.

There was little in the way of goalmouth action after the interval and U's boss Cowley brought on Owura Edwards for Harry Anderson on the hour, in a bid to find an equaliser.

Brentford dominated the possession but Colchester were always in the tie and they got a golden opportunity to equalise with nine minutes remaining when the impressive Mandela Egbo was fouled by Frank Onyeka in the area and a penalty was awarded.

But Payne's spot-kick was saved by Brentford goalkeeper Valdimarsson and the chance went begging.

Seven minutes of time was added on at the end and Macey denied Brentford substitute Myles Peart-Harris from close range, while Nathan Collins headed a whisker wide of the post, as Brentford edged through to the third round.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Hunt (sub Egbo, 46), Goodliffe, Donnelly, Woodyard (sub Gordon, 46), Oni (sub Tovide, 66), Read, Anderson (sub Edwards, 61), Iandolo (sub Payne, 46), Hopper, Ihionvien.

Substitutes: Terry, Bendle, Thorn, Smith.

Brentford: Valdimarsson, Van Den Berg, Mee, Onyeka (sub Konak, 89), Yarmolyuk, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard (sub Jensen, 73), Janelt (sub Collins, 73), Carvalho (sub Peart-Harris, 83), Trevitt, Schade (sub Wissa, 73).

Substitutes: Roerslev, Kim, Morgan, Cox.

Referee: Paul Howard.

Goals: Brentford: Lewis-Potter (45).

Bookings: Colchester: Ihionvien (unsporting behaviour, 71), Tovide (foul, 90). Brentford: Lewis-Potter (foul, 83).

Sending off: None.

Attendance: 6,716 (706 Brentford fans).